Richard Simmons: 'No One Should Be Worried About Me'

Richard Simmons, that lovable and energetic fitness guru made famous through his Sweatin' to the Oldies at-home fitness videos, has been mysteriously out of the public eye lately. Simmons, who used to be a constant presence in the media and at his studio in Beverly Hills, hasn't been at a public event since 2013 and was last photographed in 2014. Over the weekend, an in-depth New York Daily News investigation suggested he might be held at home against his will—but Simmons put those rumors to rest in two new interviews.

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"I am not kidnapped. I am just in my house right now," the 67-year-old told Entertainment Tonight. "No one should be worried about me. The people that surround me are wonderful people who take good care of me." He said that he had a knee replacement and may need a second one given his years of physical exertion. That, plus 40 years in the spotlight, has worn on him.

Simmons said he found the report "very hurtful," and said he was simply laying low and wanted to be alone for a while. "This is how I want to live my life right now," he said. "And to all the people that are worried about me, please don't be. If I was in any trouble, if I was hurting in any way, I would reach out. It is time right now for Richard Simmons to take care of Richard Simmons."

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In an interview with the Today show, Simmons specifically rejected claims that his housekeeper was controlling his day-to-day life. "That's just very silly,'' he said. "Teresa Reveles has been with me for 30 years. It's almost like we're a married couple."

He plans on returning to the public eye eventually—and for the record, he says he still weighs 150 pounds and exercises regularly. "For all the people that were worrying about me, I want to tell them that I love them with my whole heart and soul and that not to worry, Richard's fine,'' he told the morning show. "You haven't seen the last of me. I'll come back, and I'll come back strong."

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